Horror fans listen up! There's a new Stephen King adaptation in town and it is called The Monkey . Based on King's short story this movie promises creepy vibes a cursed toy and some seriously over-the-top deaths. But is it a slam dunk like some King adaptations or does it miss the mark? Let's unpack what everyone is saying about The Monkey.
Wind-Up Toy of Doom: What's the Deal with 'The Monkey' Movie Plot?
So the basic setup is this: twin brothers stumble upon a creepy wind-up monkey in their dad's attic. This is not just any toy though. This monkey is cursed. Whenever those cymbals clash together bad things start happening specifically people start dying in outrageous ways. Fast forward 25 years and guess what? The monkey is back and ready to unleash a fresh wave of deadly chaos. The brothers now estranged have to team up again to deal with this cursed toy from their past. Sounds like classic Stephen King right?
Mixed Bag Reviews: Critics and Audiences Can't Quite Agree on 'The Monkey'
When The Monkey hit theaters it got a bit of a mixed reaction. Critics are sitting around a 78% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes which is not bad at all. Some reviewers are praising director Osgood Perkins for crafting something like an "elevated Final Destination story" and even comparing it to Tarantino's style in some ways. But audiences seem a little less thrilled. The movie earned a C+ CinemaScore which is just okay and audience scores are lower than critics indicating a possible disconnect between what critics and general moviegoers are experiencing.
Box Office Climb: 'The Monkey' Outperforms Stephen King Classics But Faces Competition
In terms of box office The Monkey is doing alright. After ten days it has raked in over $28 million worldwide with a budget of around $10 million. That is enough to put it ahead of the lifetime box office of some pretty famous Stephen King movies like The Shawshank Redemption and the original Carrie. However it is still performing similarly to other recent horror releases like Imaginary and Night Swim which tapped out around the $30 million mark domestically. It is still inching towards that milestone and we will have to see if it can keep climbing.
'Final Destination' and 'Saw' Vibes? Death Sequences and Gore Take Center Stage
Reviewers are pointing out that The Monkey seems to borrow elements from other popular horror franchises especially Final Destination and Saw. Like Final Destination expect some elaborate and unexpected death sequences. And like Saw there is a definite focus on gore and splatter effects. One reviewer even described a particularly wild kill involving yellowjackets a car windshield and someone’s mouth. If you are squeamish this might not be for you but if you dig over-the-top horror deaths The Monkey might deliver.
Tonal Shift: From Chilling Dread to Dark Comedy? Did 'The Monkey' Go Bananas?
One of the big points of discussion is the tone of The Monkey compared to Stephen King's original short story. King's story is straight-up horror full of supernatural dread and psychological terror. However director Osgood Perkins seems to have taken a different path. Some reviews suggest the movie leans more into dark comedy and absurdity mixing in gore with humor and offbeat character moments. This tonal shift is what seems to be dividing audiences. Some might find it a fresh and interesting take while others may feel it strays too far from the source material's intended scares and creepiness. It seems like a risk that may not have fully paid off for everyone.
Vinyl Alert! 'The Monkey' Soundtrack Gets a Special Release for Collectors
For soundtrack collectors and vinyl enthusiasts there is a cool tie-in for The Monkey. The movie's soundtrack composed by Edo Van Breemen is being pressed on vinyl. And not just any vinyl but "Monkey Splatter" colored vinyl limited to just 1000 copies. The LP also comes in a lenticular sleeve with special artwork. If you are into collecting horror movie soundtracks or just want a unique piece of The Monkey memorabilia this vinyl release might be worth checking out when it drops on June 21st.
Key Things to Know About 'The Monkey' Movie:
- Based on Stephen King Short Story: Adapted from King's chilling tale of a cursed toy.
- Focus on Gruesome Deaths: Expect over-the-top and elaborate death sequences in Final Destination style.
- Mixed Reviews: Critics are somewhat positive audiences less so with a C+ CinemaScore.
- Box Office: Performing decently outperforming some classic King adaptations but facing genre competition.
- Tonal Shift: Leans into dark comedy and absurdity diverging from the source material's pure horror.
- Vinyl Soundtrack Release: Limited edition "Monkey Splatter" vinyl available in June.
- Directed by Osgood Perkins: Known for horror films like Longlegs and Gretel & Hansel.
- Starring Theo James and Tatiana Maslany: Features a talented cast.
So Is 'The Monkey' Worth Watching? It Depends on Your Horror Taste
Ultimately whether you will enjoy The Monkey might depend on what you are looking for in a horror movie. If you are a die-hard Stephen King purist wanting a faithful and purely terrifying adaptation this might not be it. But if you are in the mood for a movie with wild and gory deaths some dark humor and a slightly different take on King's source material The Monkey could be a fun ride. And hey if nothing else you can always grab that "Monkey Splatter" vinyl for your collection.